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‘Child protection system in crisis’ – Broomes
…alleges delays in rape cases, mishandling of child welfare matters
(Kaieteur News) – Leader of the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) and activist Simona Broomes on Thursday picketed the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, calling for the resignation of the minister even as she claims the child proetection system here is in crisis.
Broomes a former government minister told reporters on the picket line that it is a sad time for children of this country. She said children are being raped and abused and evidence against the perpetrators do not surface. “So when you have a child being raped, when we have over 300 cases going to the court, and only three out of that you get a conviction, what is that. When we have a three-year-old baby being raped and up to now, waiting for a date from the High Court. What are we saying here in Guyana?” the politician questioned. She stressed that children are suffering and dying on a daily basis, and in some cases parents may not come forward because the system is failing them.
ALP Leader Simona Broomes and other members of her party during the protest.
She then called for the resignation of Human Services Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud. “Well, I’m saying that Vindhya should go home, because what we’re looking at in this country… This is not the first case that I know about, just a few weeks ago, two social workers went to the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling, snatched two females and a male. People in the crowd were screaming and yelling because it was not so long after the Adriana Younge matter,” she lamented.
Turning her attention to the case where a schoolgirl was dragged through the Stabroek bus park by welfare officers, Broomes said such behaviour was out of the ordinary. “If a parent was dragging a child there, the police would have done charge them and Human Services would have run to the court and put a big statement. I noticed some chambers of some women, something put out something. Where are these people when women are being murdered and battered? Where are these people when our children are being raped? Where are they?” she asked.
The two officers attached to the Child Protection Agency (CPA) have been suspended after a video surfaced showing them dragging the schoolgirl. At one point, one of the officers held onto the girl’s hair as they dragged her. Persons at the bus park were heard registering their objections with the way the child was treated. Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning confirmed that the matter was brought to her attention and immediate action was taken. “An appalling video of a school child being dragged by two officers of the Child Protection Agency has been brought to my attention,” the minister said.
She disclosed that the officers were suspended with immediate effect and that the Guyana Police Force has been called in to take further action.
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Way to go Miss. Broomed, extra attention should be paid in the township of Parika.